Gallery: Garden flies

The true flies, or Diptera, is one of the largest, diverse and most successful groups of insects. True flies have only two wings: the hind wings are reduced to two small organs called halteres which counterbalance the forewings in flight.

Side galleries

(>hoverflies)The hoverflies (family Syrphidae) are among the most beautiful of the dipteran flies, being very often brightly coloured and sometimes quite large. Many species are well-known as wasp and bee mimics; their colouration, mimicking that of these other insects, is thought to give them some protection against predators wary of being stung.

The St Mark's fly Bibio marci is one of the most common bibionids to appear in spring. Typically seen resting on the stems and leaves of grass and other plants. The thorax of this male appears to be dusted with pollen.

The handsome Bibio pomonae is one of the less common bibionids and tends to be associated with upland areas (hence the common name of heather fly). This mating pair were photographed in my garden. Note the larger eyes of the male (lower of the pair).